Citizens, officials work to make Hwy. 55 safer

Efforts come following two fatal accidents in first weeks of new year

Two vehicle accidents on Hwy. 55 that led to fatalities within a few weeks of the new year has led to action both locally and in Montgomery.

The first fatal accident occurred on Jan. 2 when a Kentucky woman was killed in a head-on collision. The second happened on Jan. 12 when a two-vehicle collision led to the death of a 4-year-old child and others being airlifted from the scene.

The accidents led to an online petition started by McKenzie resident Alexandria Eastman.

“It is deeply disheartening that this highway has been the site of numerous tragic accidents over the years. From my best friend’s sister to toddlers and teenagers, the loss of life is immeasurable and irreplaceable. The recent fatalities of a young child and weeks before a vacationing parent are stark reminders of the urgent action we need to take,” Eastman wrote for the petition.

Dist. 92 State Rep. Matthew Hammett sent a request to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency to increase trooper presence over the next month, specifically in the areas of the two recent accidents.

“I have confidence local residents who use Alabama Hwy. 55 on a daily basis, as well as those who travel through this area of Dist. 92, will be safer as a result of this increased presence by Alabama State Troopers. I want to thank the leadership at ALEA for creating an immediate plan of action to increase law enforcement presence on this section of highway that has forever changed the lives of those affected by these fatal crashes,” Rep. Hammett said.

The online petition, which had the support of 624 verified signatures as of Tuesday morning, is also requesting traffic lights be placed along the highway at intersections to town entrances, such Red Level, McKenzie and Georgiana. The petition also requests that turn lanes be constructed at each intersection.

Hammett said that increased law enforcement along Hwy. 55 is not a long-term solution. The stretch of highway that runs from I-65 in Georgiana to Andalusia was increased from two lanes to four lanes in 2013.

“Nobody could comprehend there was going to be this amount of traffic on it at this day and time. There’s some traffic counts of up to 4.4 million cars a year,” Hammett said.

He agrees that more turning lanes are needed and said the next step is to reach out to transportation officials to get cost estimates to fix some of those hot spots.

The Alabama Department of Transportation recently completed a resurfacing project that added grooves to the center of the road to create a warning rumble if a driver drifts over the center lane. Eight miles of grooves were added traveling south from the Conecuh County line.

Until the stretch of highway can be made safer through construction, Hammett said slowing drivers down could save lives.

“If we can slow motorists down and remind them of the importance of safe travels through this area, we have the potential to save lives and prevent serious injuries in the future,” Hammett said. “I am thankful for ALEA and those who work daily to provide professional public service to the citizens of Alabama and those who travel through Dist. 92.

To view the online petition, go to change.org where it is named “Improve the Safety Measures along Highway 55 for Safer Travel.”